Get suited for wage rises and romance

Men are turning their backs on casual dressing with sales of suits and formal shirts soaring, according to Oxford stores.

Debenhams has experienced a 52 per cent uplift in sales of suits as the trend for a smarter look takes hold.

It’s even rumoured that Formal Friday is now replacing the once popular dress down look in Oxford offices at the end of the week.

Perhaps that’s because dress codes have slipped on the other four days, so it makes a change to look smart but whatever the reason, it seems to be growing in popularity.

Debenhams, which has a branch in Magdalen Street, Oxford, has also seen a 26 per cent rise in demand for ties, a rise of 22 per cent for formal collared shirts and a leap of 32 per cent in formal footwear, compared to this time last year.

Debenhams Oxford store manager Jane Nuttall said: “In the past month we’ve definitely noticed an increase in the number of local men booking appointments to find suits for work.

“Through conversations with our customers we’ve found that wanting to appear as more senior and successful are the main reasons for investing in a suit – we’ve called this the Christian Grey effect. Customers have also said that looking and feeling good in a suit is crucial ahead of annual pay and performance reviews which tend to come at this time of year.”

But it’s not just the star of Fifty Shades Of Grey Jamie Dornan who is affecting men’s fashion sense.

High profile celebrity suit wearers such as David Beckham, Benedict Cumberbatch, Will Smith and Robert Pattinson, have also helped to drive the trend.

In addition to wanting to look more powerful and confident during the day, male office-workers are finding the suited and booted look works well in a social setting, as they seek a more suave and sophisticated look in the evening.

Research for Debenhams revealed that almost 8 out of ten women (79 per cent) think a man looks more attractive when smartly dressed, rather than in casual wear and a third of women questioned (34 per cent) would prefer a man who dressed in a suit most of the time.

A spokesman for tailors Ede & Ravenscroft in High Street, Oxford, says of the trend: “We believe that the younger generation is really appreciative of the crafts and attention to detail.”

* The UK men’s fashion market has grown by 18 per cent in the past five years and is now worth £12.9bn, according to retail analysts Mintel. That figure is expected to grow to £16.4bn by 2018.

Debenhams, home to Designers Patrick Grant’s Hammond &Co, RJR.John Rocha and J by Jasper Conran offer a total of 133 suits in 8 colourways and 4 suit styles; Slim Fit; offering youthful, fashion focused formalwear, Regular; classic, multi-functional suits for all occasions, Tailored; with a premium look and feel and Big and Tall; available in sizes XXL to XXXXXL.

Until 22nd February, Debenhams is offering a new season suit bundle with Red Herring and Thomas Nash suits, shirt, tie and shoes at £145.

WHAT WOMEN THINK OF MEN IN SUITS

TIFFANY SAUNDERS, 24, assistant director of the upcoming Oxford Fashion Week, says: “With the rise in popularity of Men’s Fashion Week and generally more attention from designers towards Male fashion, it has levelled the playing field among men and women when it comes to an eye for style – there’s more out there. As with female fashion, male fashion is not typecast by a specific look – for example a suit – it comes down to style.”

MISS OXFORDSHIRE AMELIA WATT says: “I definitely agree that men look more attractive when dressed smartly. I like it when a man has taken care of himself and chooses clothes that reflect this. Personally I find men in suits attractive, there is an old age charm and sophistication that is associated with suits. 

“I don’t think that suits have ever gone out of style. 

“My favourite celebrity suit wearer would have to be David Gandy.”

He looks comfortable in a suit, sophisticated and sharp. There is definitely something about men in suits!